Definition of litotes

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  • litotes is a valid Scrabble US word with a point value of 7
  • litotes is a valid Scrabble UK word with a point value of 7
  • litotes is a valid Words with friends word with a point value of 8

Definition of litotes

  • understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary) (noun)

    Examples

    1. saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes

    Synonyms

    1. meiosis

See definition of litotes in Merriam Webster